Come clean on Medicare Locals Dutton told

FEDERAL Health Minister Peter Dutton has been accused of backing away from Prime Minister Tony Abbott's election commitment not to close down Medicare Local facilities.

During the election campaign, Mr Abbott pledged the coalition wouldn't shut any Medicare Locals, only to later clarify the statement by saying he couldn't guarantee they would "stay exactly the same".

The coalition has promised to review the 61 Medicare Locals, which were set up by the former Labor government to co-ordinate local primary health care services in communities.

On Sunday Mr Dutton refused to re-affirm the commitment that no Medicare Locals would be closed, saying he did not want to pre-empt a review of the networks.

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association said Mr Dutton had backed away from Mr Abbott's election promise and demanded he "come clean" on the government's plan.

"The ongoing uncertainty is leaving patients, families and health service staff in limbo," association chief Alison Verhoeven said in a statement on Monday.

"The establishment of Medicare Locals has been an important step to improving the coordination of care, addressing service gaps and improving the patient journey between the primary health, community health and acute hospital sectors."